Edward Theodore Cook

Edward Theodore Cook, Sr., better known as Ed Cook, was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He passed away on December 27, 2015 at the age of 96. He was born October 15, 1919 in the city of Manila in The Philippines. He was one of six children, and the last surviving of the siblings. Ed was an electrical engineering student at the University of the Philippines when WWII began. The war changed the direction of Ed's life greatly. He was captured in the fall of Corregidor and survived in a prison camp for over three years. He then became a guerrilla fighter helping the American forces and fighting for the resistance until the Philippines were liberated by the United States. Ed then went on to serve in the US Coast Guard as part of the merchant marines until the war's end.

After the war ended, Ed stayed in the merchant marines during which time he circumnavigated the world three times. He could tell some of the most amazing stories about the places that he had seen, from South America to China, to Korea, to passing through both the Panama and Suez Canals. He later came to the United States and met his wife, Emily, while traveling by train from New Orleans to Los Angeles. They were married in 1953 and created a life in Buena Park where he has lived for the past 59 years. Ed and Emily had four children and one grandchild.

Ed was an electrician by trade for over 45 years and participated in the construction of many buildings in the Orange and Los Angeles Counties. Ed was very involved with Boy Scouts throughout his life. In his youth, he reached the level of Life Scout. As an adult, he was a Scout Master and was an active member in the Order of the Arrow. He continued to participate in Boy Scouts long after his sons had grown, and received many awards for his service throughout the years. Ed was also active in the Girl Scouts and in the local PTA.

Ed was very caring, giving, and generous to all people, and made a big impact to many over the years through all of his volunteer work. He will be missed by many.

His viewing is Sunday, January 3, 2016, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at Forest Lawn in the city of Cypress. His funeral will be January 5, 2016 at 2:30pm at Forest Lawn in the city of Cypress with a reception to follow at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Buena Park.